Chandela

Chandelas of Jejakabhukti
9th century CE–13th century CE
Map of Asia in 1200 CE. Chandela kingdom is shown in central India.
Capital		Khajuraho Kalanjara Mahoba
Languages		Sanskrit
Religion		Hinduism Jainism
Government		Monarchy
King
•	c. 831-845 CE	Nannuka
•	c. 1288-1311 CE	Hammiravarman
Historical era		Classical India
•	Established	9th century CE
•	Disestablished	13th century CE
Preceded by Succeeded by Gurjara-Pratihara Delhi Sultanate
Today part of		India

The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti were a Rajput dynasty in Central India. They ruled much of the Bundelkhand region (then called Jejakabhukti) between the 9th and the 13th centuries.

The Chandelas initially ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kanyakubja (Kannauj). The 10th century Chandela ruler Yashovarman became practically independent, although he continued to acknowledge the Pratihara suzerainty. By the time of his successor Dhanga, the Chandelas had become a sovereign power. Their power rose and decline as they fought battles with the neighbouring dynasties, especially the Paramaras of Malwa and the Kalachuris of Tripuri. From the 11th century onwards, the Chandelas faced raids by the northern Muslim dynasties, including the Ghaznavids and the Ghurids. The Chandela power effectively ended around the beginning of the 13th century, following Chahamana and Ghurid invasions.

The Chandelas are well known for their art and architecture, most notably for the temples at their original capital Khajuraho. They also commissioned a number of temples, water bodies, palaces and forts at other places, including their strongholds of Ajaigarh, Kalinjar and their later capital Mahoba.

The Chandelas are included in the list of 36 Rajput clans in multiple texts, including Varna Ratnakara, Prithviraj Raso and Kumarapala-charita. Like other Rajput dynasties, their origin is obscured by mythical legends.